Sony DSC-P73 Review

Click on the P73 for a 360° QTVR tour

It's definitely 2004 when you can buy a 4-megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom lens that takes great pictures for just $300. Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-P73 is no stripped-down "entry-level" camera, it sports features like a 5-point auto focus system, manual exposure control, multi-pattern metering, scene modes, histogram display and a fast image processor that allows it to capture up to 4 Fine mode images per burst.

The compact and stylish DSC-P73 lets you compose your shots with the optical viewfinder or use the high-resolution 1.5-inch color LCD monitor. In addition to 4-megapixel still images the DSC-P73 captures full motion video in VGA resolution at 30fps with sound (requires Memory Stick Pro media.) Want more wide angle or telephoto coverage?   Sony has a wide angle and two telephoto conversion lenses made especially for the DSC-P73 (and the 5-megapixel DSC-P93) as well as a host of 30mm filters.

The DSC-P73 is powered by a pair of standard AA type batteries, Sony includes a set of 2100 mAh rechargeable NiMH batteries that can capture up to 410 pictures. Also included is a NiMH charger that handles a pair of AA or AAA size cells. Downloading images and movies to your computer is simple and fast thanks to its high-speed USB 2.0 interface. And you can use the same USB cable to print directly to the Sony DPP-EX50 Picture Station or any of today's PictBridge-enabled photo printers, no computer is necessary.

DSC-P73 Major Features:

• Sony 4.1 Megapixel effective CCD image sensor
• Sony 3x Zoom (38-114mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
• Still Image: 2304x1728, 2304(3:2), 2048x1536, 1280x960, 640x480
• MPEG Movie: 640x480 VX Fine w/audio at 30fps (Memory Stick Pro required),
  640x480 VX at 16fps, length limited only by media
• Auto, Program AE, Manual plus Scene modes
• Live histogram display in capture and playback
• 5 Area Multi-point AF; auto or selectable Spot AF point
• 1.5" TFT color (67,000 pixels) LCD Screen with Auto Brightness
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100, 200, 400
• Adjustable color saturation, contrast and sharpness
• Noise Reduction: Automatically cleans up long exposure images
• 14bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
• Built-in flash with Auto Fill, Red Eye Reduction and Slow Synchro
• USB 2.0 Auto-Connect to host computer
• Audio-Video output for display on TV sets
• Powered by two AA batteries, NiMH and charger included
• Memory Stick & Memory Stick Pro compatible to 1GB, 16MB included
• DPOF and PictBridge direct-print USB compatible

Sony DSC-P73 Specifications